Wow. That seems surprising. Do you think he'll be expensive? I'm guessing a Jordan replacement is going to come cheap or in the form of Law Firm.

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I was high on BJGE when I saw him in training camp, he's explosive and decisive. But I thought his performance during the regular season wasn't as good as the numbers show - and those numbers aren't as good as fans remember them to be. I think it's a shame he was active for enough games that he can't land on the PS. He's just good enough to want to keep in the organization, but perhaps not good enough to deserve a spot on the 53 on a championship caliber team.

The writing has been on the wall for a couple of months now, with a $7.3 million cap charge and a $3.2 million salary. At age 30 with two damaged knees, Deuce's future is bleak. His best hope may be to catch on as a short-yardage specialist with a contender. Pierre Thomas was already a player on the rise, but this news solidifies his value as an intriguing RB2 for 2009.

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Don't know this guy is highly unreliable oft injured most people knew he was going to be released he didn't do much this season at all.

I don't know why people are saying this is surprising, if you watched the Saints home games at the end of the year, the crowd was acknowledging him on every play and the announcers were talking about how he was probably taking his last snaps as a Saint. Pierre Thomas emerged last year as a potential go-to back and they already have Bush and Stecker too, and with his cap number and the way he's slowed down due to injury, it's not very surprising. I don't think he has too much left in the in the tank, probably another year or two of spot duty like he had this year in New Orleans.

I don't know why people are saying this is surprising, if you watched the Saints home games at the end of the year, the crowd was acknowledging him on every play and the announcers were talking about how he was probably taking his last snaps as a Saint. Pierre Thomas emerged last year as a potential go-to back and they already have Bush and Stecker too, and with his cap number and the way he's slowed down due to injury, it's not very surprising. I don't think he has too much left in the in the tank, probably another year or two of spot duty like he had this year in New Orleans.

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Of course he is on the downside of his career but like you said he probably has a few years left of spot duty - There are alot of teams who could use a runner like him,even with light duties - He has been a clutch player his whole career so even with smaller carries I think he could excel at the next team that gives him a chance to do the little things - Will the Patriots see him fit on our system and pay him a few million to do so? - chances are not so great, but one never knows what BB thinks

Remember Corey Dillon was supposedly on the downside of his career when he came here since being replaced by Rudi in Cincy,only to be a big part of winning championships here

Deuce's knees are shot. Everyone was talking about how he was likely taking his last snaps as a Saint and possibly as a football player at the end of last year.

He's also been injury prone over the last 4 years.

2005 - 5 games

2006 -15 games

2007 - 3 games

2008 - 13 games

His carries were down last year as well. He used to get 200-300 carries and last year he was down to 100. Yes, they did have Bush and Thomas, but even went Bush went down, the Saints used Thomas more than Deuce.

Deuce looked like he was running in mud at the end of last year. He's noticeably slower and always nicked up. The Pats don't need this guy, their backfield is fine without him.

That could make the Patriots a good match - with the RB by committee they wouldn't be solely relying on him, and like Jordan, he wants to show that he's still got some gas in the tank to earn another decent contract - which is why Jordan won't be here.

Playing on a good team with a good QB where he won't be required to carry the full load and he can improve his reputation might make the Patriots a preferable place to play

But overall I don't claim to know much about his situation, skills, or his willingness to accept limited snaps

I was high on BJGE when I saw him in training camp, he's explosive and decisive. But I thought his performance during the regular season wasn't as good as the numbers show - and those numbers aren't as good as fans remember them to be. I think it's a shame he was active for enough games that he can't land on the PS. He's just good enough to want to keep in the organization, but perhaps not good enough to deserve a spot on the 53 on a championship caliber team.

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Well, from the way I saw it, while he didn't look like a "#1, 300-carry" guy, he certainly looks like he should be playing somewhere in the NFL. I wouldn't be surprised if the Pats trade him during TC for a conditional 2010 late-rounder (e.g., a 6 or 7 if he makes the new team's roster).

Similar chatter going around (on here) about Fred Taylor. I say either one is worth bringing in for a look, if the price can be made to work.

As has been stated before, if they've got enough left for 5 or 10 quality snaps a game, the way the Pats have been using backs, that makes them enough of an asset to sign. Mind you, I don't think that's the goal. It's not lost on anybody that Corey Dillon (God rest his cleats) played the featured back role during very productive seasons.

The "home run" would be bringing in a McCallister or a Taylor and finding 2 seasons of serviceable improvement over what the team has to split time w/Maroney. Actually I don't see it, except perhaps marginally. As boring as Morris may be compared with the heavy hitters (Peterson is the obvious example), he gets the job done. I'm not sure at this point that what's left of Deuce is better than Morris... and of course we'd all love to see Ben Franklin Green Acres develop, but I think there's a ceiling on that ascent.